Armor of Deceit

Chapter 3

"Adieu to you, Arabella, remember those you love and never forget who you are." Those were the words my father spoke the night before. Now I'm leaving the comfort of my home, my bow on one hand and my bag on the other.

The first rays of morning tiptoe across the sky, somewhat comforting me. The warm greeting of a new day cheers me up because it seems as if I've only been saying goodbye.

Maximilian, my majestic black stallion, was ready and clothed casually like I was, almost. A green lady's cloak hides my archer armor and sword, and my dark brown hair braided loosely, no one would be able to tell that I could have their heads in a blink of an eye. All my life that's what I've been taught to do, to deceive.

Now I'm off to do it again, to cheat my way into a kingdom as someone I'm not. I don't understand why I'm just now feeling guilty, I've done these things so many times, without a sliver of grim feelings.

I latch my bag onto Max before I hitch myself on him. He grunts at the weight and I stroke him just below his ears and whisper,"Sorry boy, don't worry, we'll get through this together."

I've raised him ever since the day he was born, he kept me sane throughout my crazed missions; He was my rock. I kiss the top of his hair before riding off into the woods that lead to an impending doom.

~~~

It's been about 5 hours after sunrise, though it feels like eternity in these never ending woods that connect Cedarwoods to Farraday.

Max halts, causing me to start,"what is it boy?" I keep my voice as quiet as I can and then I hear it, a low growl. I pull my bow from it's resting place quickly without making a noise and place an arrow on the nocking point.

In a flash, a large ogre jumps in front of Max, causing him to jump and drop me. I think fast as I fall, calculating how I can hit the beast at his weakest point, his heart. Before I hit the ground, I release my arrow.

Auugh, I land unpleasantly, feeling as if I've broken all of my bones. My ears are ringing and I feel a sting on my shoulder. Damn that beast.

I hear a muffled neigh and a feel a nudge on my head. I moan from the contact of the nudge, slowly opening my eyes. I would've laughed at the horrified look on Max's face, if I weren't in pain. I look over to the lifeless body a few feet away from me, bullseye.

I force myself to sit up using my unharmed arm,"My bag..." I call out to Max, which he brings to me obediently. It takes me almost a painful hour to bandage the deep cut on my shoulder. Then it hits me, there aren't supposed to be ogres in these parts of the country, they lived in the mountains, a goodly length away from any kingdom. No wonder Max shied away, he's never encountered one before.

A chill runs through me at this realization and the howling of the wind just adds more tension in the dense woods. I thank the heavens that it's broad daylight. After Max and I are relieved from the shock, we continue deeper into the dangerous forest.

Soon enough, the sun is setting and the first stars are appearing in the dark blue sky. I find a somewhat safe looking area to stay for the night, not bothering to start a fire in the chilly night. Max lays down besides a large tree and I gently lean against him. As soon as I lay my head on his ebony body, I fall deep in slumber.